Distributor screw



July 26, 1949.

` H. H. Ml-:RwlN 2,477,343

DISTRIBUTOR SCREW Filed NOV. 6, 1947 Br v ATTORNEY' Patented July 26, 1949 `UPXITEI) STATES PATENT' OFFICE "DISTRIBUTOR SCREW Harry H. Merwin, Rutherford, N.. J., assignor to `Western Electric Company, Incorporated, New 'Yorin N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 6, 1947, Serial No. 784,328

` :i Claims. 1

This invention relates to distributor screws and more particularly to a double threaded distributor screw for reciprocating a distributor be= tween variable limits.

The conventional type of double threaded distributor screw is employed in machines for distributing strands or cables on reels. These screws are constructedwith `reversing portions at their ends `disposed iixed distances apart depending upon the width of the reel for which they are designed. Therefore, when a cono/ent'ionalV type of double threaded screw is installed in a meel-lino only reels of a given width may be employed as the distributor reciprocated by the screw will be moved between limits which cannot be varied.

An object of the invention is to provide a double threaded distributor screw which is simple in structure and capable of causing reciprocatioo of a distributor between variable limits.

With this and other objects in View, the invention comprises double threaded distributor screws having one or more cutaway portions interme diete the reversing ends to receive one or more inserts with reversing end member portions to vary the distance of travel of a distributor associated therewith. The cutaway portions in the body of the screw intersect follower guides at their midpolnts and provide longitudinal ribs to receive in serts with follower guides throughout their limits to condition the screw for full length distribution ortoreceive inserts having reversing end pon1 tions to shorten the distance of movement of the distributor.

Gther objects and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a fragmentary top plan view ora takeup mechanism of a cable stranding machine embodying the invention, vnamely `the distributor screw;

Fig. 21s an enlarged fragmentary top planvlew of a portion of the distributor screw at one of the cutaway portions thereof;

Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the structure shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of one of the inserts;

Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5--5 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line B6 of Fig. 1.

The distributor screw indicated generally at 9 is to reciprocate a distributor element l0 between predetermined limits to distribute a cable or strand l I on a takeup reel. The distributor screw is selectively variable to distribute strand mate rial on reels of dilerent sizes, only iraginentariv portions of the heads of these reels are illustrated in Fig. 1, a smaller reel lZbeing illustrated in solid lines and' a larger reel I4 being illustrated in broken lines. The distributor element lll carn ries rollers lbetween which the cable il ad varices longitudinally toward the reel upon which it is to be wound. Laterally extending epertured arms IB` of the distributor element it are sup ported for reciprocation on a rod l1, the ends3 of which are mounted in embossed portions le, only one of which is shown in the drawing, these ein bossed. portions being a part of the main frame is of the takeup unit or machine. A follower 23 is supported by the distributor element i9 and is allowed to roolr between two given positions whereby it may follow spiral paths in either direcu tion controlled by the distributor screw Si.

'The distributor screw 9 is formed of a shaftlike member 22 having reversing end guides disposed at spaced positions thereon and formed to receive the follower 2B travelling in one direc-l tion and to reverse the follower by rocking it into another position to cause it to reverse its direction of travel along the distributor screw. Cutm away portions 25 are formed in the member il at spaced positionsbetween the end guides These cutaway portions extend halfway through the member 22 with the exception of the central portions where longitudinal ribs 2t are formed. Inserts 21, only one of which is shown in e of the drawing are disposed in the cutaway por tions 25 to complete the distributor screw for dis tributing the cable Il on the larger reel lll. Double threaded follower guides 2B are formed at spaced positions on the member 22 and on the inserts 21 to complete the distributor screw for the large reel I4. The cutaway portions 25 and the inserts 21 are so arranged that the double threaded follower guides 28 of the member 222 which are intersected by the cutaway portions are completed by the partial double threaded follower guides 28 of the inserts 21. The partial follower guides, both of the member 22 and the inserts 21, are accurately lined by the ribs 26 entering grooves 30 in the inserts 21. Apertures 3| extend through two of the follower guides 28 adjacent each of the cutaway portions 25 and through the adjacent ribs 26 to receive screws 32 to secure the inserts 21 in place, the threaded ends of the screws extending into threaded apertures 33 of the inserts.

When it is desirable to condition the distributor screw to reduce the path of the distributor ele- 3 ment I0, the inserts 21 are removed from the cutaway portions 25 of the member 22 and inserts 31 are mounted in the cutaway portions in a similar manner. The inserts 31 are identical with the inserts 21 in every detail with the exception that the outer portions thereof are provided with reversing end guides 38 to cause reversing of the follower 2i] at Ythe ends of shorter reciprocatory movements necessary for the distribution of the cable Il on the smaller reel l2. The inserts 33 are provided with longitudinal grooves 33 (Fig. 6)

to receive their respective ribs 2t of the cutaway` portions 25. Threaded apertures i3 are also provided for the screws 32 which maybe employed in mounting either the inserts 21 or 31m the cutaway portions.

The distributor screw 9 incorporatedas a permanent element in a machine may be readily Vconditioned whereby the distributor element may be reciprocated in a given path between variable limits. The inserts 21` and 31 when singly selected to complete the distributor screw, determine the limits of movement of the distributor element, as it will travel on the rod I1, distances determined by the travel of the follower 2li.

In the present embodiment of the invention, it has been illustrated that by the use of the nse-rts 21, the full length of the distributor screw functions in reciprocating the distributing element, a maximum distance. It has also been illustrated that by the use of the inserts L31, in place of the inserts 21, the path of the distributor element has been shortened. It would also be understood that any other selected arrangement of the inserts 21 and 31 may be employed, for example, one of the inserts 21 may be employed in the cutaway portion adjacent one end of the distributor screw and one of the inserts 31 employed in the cutaway portion adjacent the other end thereof. In this manner, an additional variation in the path of movement of the distributor element is provided. I

It is to be understood that the above described arrangements are simply illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which willembody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. A distributor screw for a distributor element supported for reciprocation in a given path and carrying a rockable follower, the distributor screw comprising a shaft-like member mounted for rotation on an axis parallel with the said path and having a cutaway portion therein intermediate its ends, reversing end guides positioned given distances apart on the member to alternately receive the follower at each end of its reciprocatory movement and rock it into position for its reverse movement, an insert nor-A mally filling the cutaway portion of the member, double threaded screw guides for the follower disposed on the member and the insert '4 between the end guides to guide the follower in its travel alternately in opposite directions, and means comprising a second insert to replace the first insert and having a reversing guide for the follower to shorten the path of the distributing element.

2. A distributor screw for a distributor element supportedfor reciprocation inva'girven path and carrying a rockable follower, the distributord screw comprising a shaft-like member mounted for rotation on an axis parallel with the said path and having reversing end guides positioned given distances apart on the member to alternately receive the follower at each end of its reciprocatory movement and rock it into position for its reverse movement, double threaded screw guides for the-follower disposed on the member I between the end guides to guide the follower in its travel alternately in opposite directions, the member having a cutaway portion therein intermediate the end guides and intersecting certain of the double threaded screw guides, an insert removably disposed in the cutaway portion and having whole and partial double threaded screw guides to cooperate with the whole and intersected screw guides to guidethe follower in its travel alternately in opposite directions, and means comprising a second insert to replace the first insert andhavin-g a reversing guide for the follower to shorten the path of the distributing element. y

3. A distributor screw for a distributor element supported for reciprocation in a given path and carrying a. rockable follower, the distributor screw comprising a shaft-like member mounted fOr-rotation on an axis parallel with the said path .and having cutaway portions with locking ribs disposed at spacedpositions intermediate its ends, reversing end guides positioned given distances aparton the member to alternately receive the follower at each endl of its reciprocatory movement and rock it into position for its reverse movement, inserts having grooves therein to re- REFERENCES CITED i The follolwing referenlcesare of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,134,369 Merwin Oct. 25, 1938 2,441,596

Reitter MayV 18, 1948 

